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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2013 => Topic started by: Otto Puzzell on March 09, 2013, 06:44:00 AM

Title: Cars & Dolls #23 - Mary Grace Simescu / Nash / Detroit Automotive Jubilee Queen
Post by: Otto Puzzell on March 09, 2013, 06:44:00 AM
For one point: Who was this young lady, and with what make and year automobile was she connected?

Only a correct, complete and specific answer will earn a point; tag-on's to other guesses will not. So, be specific and complete!
 
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on March 16, 2013, 11:25:45 AM
Perhaps some more experienced gents can ID her?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: targhediferro on March 17, 2013, 03:56:00 PM
I think the picture shows the wonderful Mrs.Ava Gardner.  She was born in 1925 and the same year Gardner Automobil Co. presented its new 8c saloon. Thank you for posting this beauty.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on March 18, 2013, 04:49:18 AM
I'm sure this miss would be flattered, but this is not Ms. Gardner
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on March 29, 2013, 05:18:14 AM
Up
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 02, 2013, 04:36:45 AM
She led a rather ordinary, working-girl life. This photo represents an unusual, and temporary, turn of events for her.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on April 03, 2013, 11:26:50 PM
Jacque Mercer, Miss America 1949, and this 1949 Cadillac?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 04, 2013, 03:08:27 AM
Not a Miss America; not Cadillac.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Bill Murray on April 06, 2013, 07:18:29 AM
I really have no clue as to the answer itself, but the hairstyle and the style of the ladie's dress would indicate 1940 or so I believe.
Bill
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 06, 2013, 07:23:39 AM
Within that decade...
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: targhediferro on April 06, 2013, 05:42:19 PM
Is she a very young Joan Collins?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 06, 2013, 06:17:29 PM
Quote from: targhediferro on April 06, 2013, 05:42:19 PM
Is she a very young Joan Collins?

:disbelief:
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 26, 2013, 04:03:44 AM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on April 02, 2013, 04:36:45 AM
She led a rather ordinary, working-girl life. This photo represents an unusual, and temporary, turn of events for her.

Her glamour was tied to a specific brand, as was her livelihood. After this picture, she soon returned to her ordinary life. No movie contacts, no ribbon cuttings and such...
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 26, 2013, 05:50:19 AM
specific brand - One of the GM brands?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 26, 2013, 06:12:53 AM
Not a GM brand
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Bill Murray on April 26, 2013, 07:15:46 AM
Lots of searching, lots of parameters, no result.

GM is eliminated and Ford usually had a more "populist" approach to advertising and public relations.

Assuming this is a major brand, should we be looking at Chrysler products??

Bill
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 26, 2013, 12:46:41 PM
Not Chrysler
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 26, 2013, 02:04:05 PM
Packard?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 26, 2013, 03:00:52 PM
Not that fancy
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 26, 2013, 03:02:10 PM
Ford?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 26, 2013, 08:58:49 PM
Not the Ford brand
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 26, 2013, 11:22:32 PM
Mercury?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 27, 2013, 03:07:48 AM
Not Mercury
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on April 27, 2013, 03:32:05 AM
Studebaker?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 27, 2013, 05:27:10 AM
Not Studebaker
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 27, 2013, 06:58:01 AM
Hudson?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 27, 2013, 07:34:56 AM
Not Hudson
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 27, 2013, 07:47:09 AM
willys?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 27, 2013, 07:58:16 AM
Not Willys
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 27, 2013, 08:05:04 AM
Graham-Paige?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on April 27, 2013, 05:39:30 PM
Nash?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 28, 2013, 03:42:13 AM
Quote from: pnegyesi on April 27, 2013, 08:05:04 AM
Graham-Paige?

Nope
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 28, 2013, 03:42:39 AM
Quote from: Ray B. on April 27, 2013, 05:39:30 PM
Nash?

Yes! 24 hour lock for you.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on April 29, 2013, 10:51:47 AM
I couldn't find her. Please unlock.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 29, 2013, 12:16:03 PM
As you wish.  :)
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: ValkyrieGT on April 29, 2013, 04:18:39 PM
May I have the 1st letter, of the Nash model type that she was associated with?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on April 30, 2013, 04:01:41 AM
Strange request, Valkyrie :scratch:
A bit like asking for 25 % of the answer so you can add the rest, no?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 30, 2013, 04:03:07 AM
Quote from: ValkyrieGT on April 29, 2013, 04:18:39 PM
May I have the 1st letter, of the Nash model type that she was associated with?

The puzzle question posed asks for a make and a year only, with good reason, though some might argue that one model is more closely associated with her.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on April 30, 2013, 04:16:17 AM
did she appear in Nash ads?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on April 30, 2013, 04:59:04 AM
She did appear in some ads, and Nash was mentioned in them. But they were not Nash ads, per-se. 

She also appeared in other promotional materials, that were not the type of advertisements that would be inserted into other materials.

Here's a picture from one of the ads in which she appeared, along with a well-known car guy...
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 02, 2013, 05:17:58 AM
Perhaps searching for more about the guy in that second picture will lead you to a solution.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on May 02, 2013, 05:49:23 AM
did she appear in war promotional ads?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 02, 2013, 06:16:19 AM
No; the puzzle photo and the reason for it were in the post-war period.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Bill Murray on May 02, 2013, 07:06:55 AM
I am probably on a very wild goose chase here, but the man looks a fair bit like Henry J Kaiser Sr.
If so, the lady could be his daughter in law.

Bill
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: nicanary on May 02, 2013, 07:19:19 AM
Anything to do with the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing ?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 02, 2013, 09:15:54 AM
Quote from: Bill Murray on May 02, 2013, 07:06:55 AM
I am probably on a very wild goose chase here, but the man looks a fair bit like Henry J Kaiser Sr.
If so, the lady could be his daughter in law.

Bill

Not him
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 02, 2013, 09:16:06 AM
Quote from: nicanary on May 02, 2013, 07:19:19 AM
Anything to do with the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing ?

No
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on May 03, 2013, 10:11:07 AM
It's George W. Mason, but I can't find anything by following the Kelvinator lead.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 04, 2013, 04:53:45 AM
Keep at it. The answer can be found in multiple places...
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 14, 2013, 04:27:32 AM
I was sure we were on the brink of a solution.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on May 14, 2013, 06:19:39 AM
Was she by any chance Mason's wife?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 14, 2013, 08:01:24 AM
No, but she did know of him, and likely had met him, outside of the context of this puzzle.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Bill Murray on May 14, 2013, 08:16:41 AM
Lenore Romney?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on May 14, 2013, 08:46:44 AM
That was my second guess, but Mitt's mother doesn't resemble much this lady. Let's see what Otto says.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Bill Murray on May 14, 2013, 08:56:06 AM
Mine was definitely a shot in the dark, Ray, but she was once an aspiring starlet in Hollywood and she did do some "good works" kind of stuff.

As well, Romney took over after Mason when AMC was formed but I do not remember if he was associated with them as early as Otto's photo.

Interesting that we are having so much trouble with this one as he indicates it is "all over the internet" or some such.  I must have 3-4 hours in this one already.

Bill
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 14, 2013, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: Bill Murray on May 14, 2013, 08:16:41 AM
Lenore Romney?

Not her.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Ray B. on May 14, 2013, 12:02:40 PM
 :scratch:
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 14, 2013, 01:40:14 PM
As a one-time stage and screen actress, the wife of a well-known executive who later became the governor of a US state and tried to become president of the United States (and the mother of son who did the same thing, more or less), and as a one-time candidate for the US senate, Mrs. Romney was in the public spotlight for a much longer and more intense period than our mystery girl.
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 18, 2013, 05:31:10 AM
Another clue:

An article of clothing she wore is in the nation's attic. In excess of 25k others wanted to wear it, but did not.


Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: nicanary on May 18, 2013, 07:07:17 AM
Must've been a sash saying Miss United States ?
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on May 18, 2013, 07:24:30 AM
No - this was a one-time event, and not a beauty pageant.

Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on June 05, 2013, 04:49:23 AM
Alas, a lass passes to black hole
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: pnegyesi on June 23, 2013, 05:02:39 AM
She's Mary Grace Simescu

Mary Grace Simescu, a stunning brunette from Detroit's west side, was selected Jubilee Queen from more than 25,000 contestants for the Automotive Golden Jubilee in 1946. The Jubilee was a massive celebration in Detroit, attended by more than 300,000 people, where 1,000 feet of Woodward Avenue was painted from curb to curb in gold paint. The Jubilee was organized by Bill Knudsen (former president of General Motors) and George Romney, honored the automotive pioneers of the era, including George Holley, Charles Nash, Barney Oldfield, Ransom Olds, and Henry Ford, General Motors founder William Durant and then chairman, Alfred P. Sloan. Mary's Jubilee Queen dress was recently given and is displayed at the Smithsonian Museum.

Ms Simescu worked at the advertising dept of Nash
Title: Re: Cars & Dolls #23
Post by: Otto Puzzell on June 23, 2013, 05:55:53 AM
Holy cow - you got it! Nice solve.